The rules are simple. Just make up a new Level of the Abyss or detail an already existing one, you can do anything from just a name to an textbook length report, its up to you.

"The Drowning World"

Inspired by the book of the same name, the Drowning World is a Level of the Abyss. The Level hasn't been over-run by demons becuase of a unique planar trait, any outsider present on the Level is effected by a maximized Banishment once per round until it is removed.

The Level has the same size and shape of a small moon.

The level is dominated by three things; the trees, the canopy, and the water.

The smallest of the trees would make the largest Redwood look like a sapling by comparison.
The bark of these trees is harder than Adamantine and has 100% Spell/Power-Resistance, the only things that can succesfully damage the trees are Spheres of Annihilation and Voidstone, a small gruop of Drow has recently used a Sphere to hollow out a tree and have built a small temple/forttress inside.
The trees come in five types, all look alike and have the same waxy leaves, the only real difference is the root system.
The first type has roots that grow straight down from the tree. The second type has roots that grow horizontally from the tree, the roots grow straight, ignoring the curve of the ground. The third and fourth types have roots that grow diagonally from the tree, the third type has roots that grow down and the fourth type has roots the grow up. The fith type has roots like a Mangrove, the largest of this type is comparable in size to Sharn.
The ground of this Level, if there is any, is blocked from view by the roots.

The leaves and branches form an almost indestructable canopy, the leaves are covered in a thick waxy substance that provides resistance to all types of energy damage. This is a good thing, becuase the sky is filled with Gates to the Elemental, Para-Elemental, and Quasi-Elemental planes. The only thing to pass though the canopy is various forms of precipitaion( Rain, mist, fog, steam, mud, gravel, acid, ash, and smoke) and blue-green light.
The precipitaion and light are constant to one to degree or another, anything from a faint drizzle and near darkness, to a torrential storm and blinding brightness( the level of precipitation and light do not necessarily correspond to eachother).

Water, mostly from rain, entirely covers the "ground". The most shallow point is a meter in depth, the average depth is seven meters. The deepest point is a valley/trench seven hundred meters deep, five hundred meters wide, and a thousand meters long, give or take a few dozen feet. This valley is the location of the only city on th Level, made by Aboleth, of which there are less the a score in the entire Level, and inhabited by the their thralls, mostly Skum, Kuo-Toa, Sahuagin, and Locathah.

Population: The most common inhabitants are Plants, Aberrations, Oozes, and Fey. The least common inhabitants are Humanoids, Constructs, Undead, and Outsiders. A handful of Black, Bronze, and Deep Dragons make their lairs on this level, and Monstrous-Humanoids seem to have filled the niche possesed by Humanoids on the Prime Material. The only Vermin, Animal, and Magical-Animals present are those that are aquatic or amphibious.

Octopus Jack

2010-08-23, 02:37 PM

That's awesome, time to get my creativity on and create my own layer. :smallwink:

Warpwolf16

2010-08-23, 04:47 PM

Ohhhh, I like this idea...mind if I give it a try? :smallbiggrin:

The Wreckage

The Wreckage is a plane of the abyss that mirrors the nightmare of elves and most fey of a industrialized world where there are no trees or any living creatures. The two demon lords that rule this place are rarely seen outside of their temples. The sky is always dark and cloudy and when it rains, only oil falls. The entire plane is covered in buildings, factories, and wasted battle fields littered in machine parts. Several Demon Lords have attempted to enter the abysmal layer only to be forced back by swarms of insect like constructs that belch smoke and flames. Some say these creatures are a new race of demons, others say they are just creatures crafted by the local denizen of the layer used to defend upon intrusions. The Wreckage is split into districts which are populaed by a mixture of demons, Manes, and Tieflings. But in current day both of the Lords have started a power struggle for who is the true master. Cults of tieflings, humans, and manes as well as demons fight the war depending on what the priest of the lords themselves say to the masses.

Population: The population of The Wreckage is varied by district. In the Mechanic's District both demons and tieflings gather to construct machines in the names of their lords. But due to current situations of the power struggle the mechanic's district is mostly shattered between factions. The merchants ward is full of buisness as it teleports through out the layer on a whim.

25% tieflings
40& demons
20% Manes
15% other

LOTRfan

2010-08-31, 07:51 PM

Silvus, 78th Layer of the Abyss
Silvus is a demented, chaotic jungle superficially similar to a prehistoric forest. This proves not to be so, as the trees have eyes, grass wraps itself around unsuspecting prey, and fiendish versions of Dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles abound. A vicious type of Demon known as a Miquot lives deep in the writhing forests. They are feared even by other demons, for their natural proficiency with their surroundings and the tamed fiendish beasts surrounding them.

A large, orange skinned humanoid charges. It has stegosaur-like plating starting at the top of his bald head, that works his way down to his back. It has no tail.

Miquots are a race of proud hunter-demons that inhabit the chaotic jungles of the Abyss. They track prey for miles, and have an odd affinity with all sorts of fiendish beasts. This makes them deadly foes. They are known for their regeneration abilities, as well as their ability to grow weapons from their fore-arms. They are reptilian in nature, and thus are hatched from eggs. Their childhood is short, and spend it preparing for battle (though few actually survive to adult hood). Despite their chaotic nature, Miquots have a basic code of honor. They are required to go on huge killing sprees to gain honor for their clan, The bigger and more prestigious the enemy, the more honor earned. In addition, if any non-good creature were to save a Miquot from certain death, they become companions to their savior for a specified amount of time (this depends on both the alignment of their savior, and if the Miquots want to do it), ranging from one month to one decade.

Combat
Miquots stalk their prey for days, slowly getting to know their targets on an intimate level as they quietly stalk the unaware creatures. After the Miquot feels that he has a sufficient idea of his enemy’s abilities, he attacks.

Blood Rage (Ex): When a Miquot causes damage to an enemy, a Miquot must make a Will save DC 20 or go into a blood rage. This functions as the Barbarian ability of the same name, except his regeneration power increases to 4. This happens once a day, and it stacks with his Barbarian levels, if any.

Death Attack (Ex): This functions as the Assassin ability of the same name, except he must spend at least three days focusing on his target instead of three days. Save DC 21.

Regeneration (Ex): Good and acid deal normal damage to a troll. If a troll loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.

Fore-Arm Plates (Ex): Miquots can rip the serrated bone plates off of their fore-arms and use them as two daggers. The bone plates regrow in 3d6 rounds because of the Miquot’s regeneration power.

And yes, I took this demon from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and gave it more of an affinity towards Dinosaurs.

The demon lord of this Layer is cruel, and as ancient as the Dinosaurs themselves. He roams his domain, killing as he pleases and chasing out demons who are servants of other Demon Lords. The Miquot demons worship him as a god. (I have no statistics, but I feel that I must mention that Bhu made a Ptera-Gloth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74654&page=36) a while back, and it is most excellent.

Malfunctioned

2010-08-31, 08:18 PM

Vidari, The House Which Encloses.

This layer of the Abyss is somewhat unique in that only one sentient being can actually exist there at a time. When one or more travel to the plane at once others are held in stasis between planes or layers until the layer is free again.

The layer itself appears to be an incredibly large mansion and any sentient mind appearing on the plane finds itself standing in what appears to a front hall with a large bear of iron wrought gates with an immense clock-face above it behind them. They have a key in their hand. Once they notice the clock it beings to count down. The key in their hand will unlock one door in the mansion and one door only. The room that the key leads to will also have a key inside it that can only open one door, and so on. Every 10 minutes one door will disappear. Once all the doors have been opened the last key will open the iron gates. If, at the end of 24 hours, the final key has not used then the body and soul of the sentient being is transformed by the power of the plane into another room and key though they are still aware of the situation.

Divination spells cast on the plane will not reveal which door each key opens and any attempt to destroy the door will only reveal a brick wall behind it. A spell or power that detects thoughts will allow the caster to converse with the mind used to create the room for the duration of the spell.

I'm not too sure if this would fit in the Abyss but I just had an idea and ran with it.

Satyrus

2010-08-31, 08:34 PM

This does sound the fun.

The Midnight Pools

This layer of the abyss is a series of circular pools that are still and quiet. The skies above are clear but no stars shine and yet the surface of the pools glimmer ever so slightly drawing the eyes of foolish mortals. The walkways between the pools are slick stone and only a few feet across in most spots.

Those who slake their thirst in the pools soon begin to find themselves pausing more and more often to peer at the pools they pass. Slowly images begin to form, images of their own death, torture of their loved ones and other terrors appear. Soon the drinker believes the images before them are real and so they jump into the pools, sinking beneath their waters which quiet in again in seconds.

Beneath the walkways all the pools are connected in a vast sea where the An-dri swarm. In pitch black there is no sense of up or down so that any other creature is lost forever in the depths. Most don't last more than a few seconds though before they are torn apart in body or their minds succumb as images of hopes are shattered and fears brought forth by the cursed pools. How far the pools go is unknown but some truly horrible beasts are said to reside as one descends, demons older and more ferocious than most others.

Those wise enough to resist drinking from the pools soon find themselves targeted by the denizens of this plane. Above the tiny Urden demons glide endless just over the surface of the pools their sparkling wings reflecting off the surface of the pools while below the An-dri demons crawl forth from the pools their bodies exuding a slippery coating onto the walkways.

The Urden are tiny creatures, a few inches in length. They are black as tar with human faces that sport sharpened teeth. They're normal attacks consist of spitting some of the pools waters they store in a small pouch into the eyes and mouth of wanderers. A pair of needlelike claws adorn their only pair of limbs near their head while the rest of the body stretches out behind like a dragonfly though it's leathery wings are much different than that insect.

The An-dri are much larger than the Urden, standing a little over 4ft. when walking, but they would reach 7ft were they to be fully erect. Their bodies have the shape of a snake with small webbed limbs. Their heads have the form of a crocodile but in their eye sockets there is instead a dowturned antennae that pierces their own flesh. These insidious demons whisper dark secrets across the pools, breaking the silence and sometimes causing the surface to ripple to taunt passerbys.

Zaydos

2010-08-31, 11:00 PM

The 116th layer of the Abyss.
The Blood Pools
A great red sea stretches from horizon to horizon of this layer. Sporadic isles rise up from this ocean, white stone and twisted "plants". These "plants" feed on the nutrients of the blood sea, and any adventurers foolish enough to come close. In truth they more closely resemble vermin than plants, great sedentary creatures whose long limbs grasp those who come near.

A great "moon" hangs low in the sky, several times that of a normal moon. From this moon flying demons occasionally dive down to the blood sea to torment and prey upon those creatures that manage to survive its viscous nature.

Planar Traits:
Normal for the Abyss plus:

All random numeric variables for Conjuration (Healing) magic are reduced by 50% on extraplanar creatures and are automatically empowered on native creatures.

The Blood Sea:
A creature swimming in the Blood Sea takes 1 point of Con damage per minute. Native creatures are immune to this Con damage.

Secrets: The "moon" is actually the Demon Lord who rules this layer, sealed into that form after a lost battle countless eons ago. He secretly plots for his return to power, using those demons that dwell upon him to prepare the way for his revival.

Inhabitants: the inhabitants of the Blood Sea can be split into 3 groups.
Islanders: Mostly the "plants" which are actually massive vermin that spend a few years as winged larvae before settling down into a sedentary adult stage. Occasionally islands will have been cleared of these to make room for humanoid settlements, but these refuges are rare and small.

Sea Dwellers: Several species of fiendish aquatic life can be found in the Blood Sea as well as marine demons. These include aquatic versions of manes and dretches as well as more common varieties of watery demons.

Moon Dwellers: Mostly winged demons live here, although a group of dwarven petitioners can be found here. Long ago their clan pledged themselves to the layer's Demon Lord and as a result their entire blood-line now ends up here to serve him even in death.

Petitioners: Petitioners in the Blood Sea, with the exception of the dwarves noted above, end up as some form of aquatic life. Many end up as fiendish sharks or similar creatures, although some end up as normal Abyssal petitioners with the Aquatic (Stormwrack) template.

I hope I did well :smallsmile:

fil kearney

2010-08-31, 11:29 PM

The rules are simple. Just make up a new Level of the Abyss or detail an already existing one, you can do anything from just a name to an textbook length report, its up to you.

Recommendation?
rewrite this post as a table of content listing each layer in numeric order... if post # 3 is the 453rd level of the abyss, then link it as such..

My contribution:

layer 7294: "a room with a moose"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOyR4k23DLY

Aran Banks

2010-09-01, 12:30 AM

fil kearney, I am Respect.

Also, I think we should be giving numbers to these demiplanes...

Level 178: Mordenkainen's ACTUAL Mansion
This used to be the area of a barren wasteland filled with scorpion-like demons and sand-burrowers.

When the great wizard Mordenkainen jumped in here, he totally kicked all their butts. The man, using a variety of planar binding techniques, utilized unlimited wishes to create a whole city.

He then dedicated his life to filling the city with his biomagical experiments. The city, which stretches across all of the demiplane (it's a small planet) is constantly increasing in population as Mordenkainen continues his experiments, trying to create the perfect balance of life and magic.

All survival needs are met, and the inhabitants go about their lives as many other beings. They work 6 hours each day, experimenting on themselves, documenting things, and practicing new magic, all to help Mordenkainen further his research.

The demiplane itself is barred from entry unless the visitors bear Mordenkainen's express permission (an imprint on their soul). Those who try to enter the Abyss 178 without permission are shunted back to where they came from immediately.

Mordenkainen's demiplane is known for its awesomeness and the vast amount of new magic-based discoveries that it generates. It is in fact attested that Mordenkainen's demiplane was where the first 8th and 9th-level psionic powers were disovered and manifested.

Sydonai

2010-09-01, 08:19 AM

Vidari, The House Which Encloses.

This layer of the Abyss is somewhat unique in that only one sentient being can actually exist there at a time. When one or more travel to the plane at once others are held in stasis between planes or layers until the layer is free again.

The layer itself appears to be an incredibly large mansion and any sentient mind appearing on the plane finds itself standing in what appears to a front hall with a large bear of iron wrought gates with an immense clock-face above it behind them. They have a key in their hand. Once they notice the clock it beings to count down. The key in their hand will unlock one door in the mansion and one door only. The room that the key leads to will also have a key inside it that can only open one door, and so on. Every 10 minutes one door will disappear. Once all the doors have been opened the last key will open the iron gates. If, at the end of 24 hours, the final key has not used then the body and soul of the sentient being is transformed by the power of the plane into another room and key though they are still aware of the situation.

Divination spells cast on the plane will not reveal which door each key opens and any attempt to destroy the door will only reveal a brick wall behind it. A spell or power that detects thoughts will allow the caster to converse with the mind used to create the room for the duration of the spell.

I'm not too sure if this would fit in the Abyss but I just had an idea an ran without.

Anything and everything fits in the Abyss, that the point, its primordial chaos given shape. H#ll, one of the layers is populated with Archons, anything can happen.....

LOTRfan

2010-09-01, 08:31 AM

Archons, too? It seems odd that two races of Celestials are able to live in the Abyss... I always pictured that if a Celestial was to enter the Abyss, demons would be swarming all over him/her in a matter of moments.

DrWeird

2010-09-01, 09:23 AM

126nd Layer of the Abyss - Gorgodel, Citadel of Rust

There are many layers of the abyss that stand as barren wastelands; nothing, save for maybe fiendish giant scorpions and vultures still lurk in their bloody-skied playgrounds of waste and desolation. But what if I were to tell you it had not always been that way? That every layer now filled with burning sand and worthless expanses of hardened dirt and tumbleweed suffering under constant perilous thunderclouds of crimson was once a unique place? Admittedly, it was a wholly evil place, but it was still it's own place. The one responsible is not exactly a who, but a what. It is Gorgodel - a fortress, miles across, that is its own layer of the Abyss - that wanders endlessly through layers, and in the short term of ages, purges it into a barren wasteland with an ancient, wasting curse that follows in its wake, killing all life and obliterating any valuable mineral with magical rust. Gorgodel is a wholly mindless but truly evil creature, as it is a living being of Evil without care of Evil - a living being of rusted steel, with menacing towers that glint under blood red skies.

Supposedly, within its colossal gates lie an entire city of rusted metal, where corrupted pitch black slime runs like water through spiraling, cyclopean aqueducts from nowhere, into the central 'sewer' of the fortress, which spills out beneath, and poisons even the cursed earth of an Abyssal Layer.

Revisions & more info later.

LOTRfan

2010-09-01, 05:57 PM

I love the concept of the Blood Pools. Zaydos, would you mind if I used it?
Miquot stat block is done.

Zaydos

2010-09-01, 06:05 PM

I love the concept of the Blood Pools. Zaydos, would you mind if I used it?
Miquot stat block is done.

I'd be honored :smallsmile:

LOTRfan

2010-09-01, 06:10 PM

Thanks! Stupid 10 character minimum....

zalmatra

2010-09-02, 04:23 AM

layer 194 The blue seed

a Blue haze permeates the entire plane the mist sometimes gathering into geometrical shapes...a giant seed that has layed down roots lies at the center of the plane arcane and divine energy suffusing the area around the seed and the entire plane

Evil creatures cannot bear to enter this plane...and often turn away when they reach the outer edges continuing further can reduce even the most powerful demons have turned to ash within seconds and even evil gods are bared from entering.

good casters and good psionic users experience 4+ to effective level while on the plane the land is pocketed with ridges and low valleys around the seedling as it grows when looked at from high above there is a clear symbol being carved out by the energies of the plane.

plants and animals thrive and live on this plane one of the few spots of sanctuary in the hellish abyssal planes.

Lysander

2010-09-02, 07:05 PM

Layer 934

Phantom Celestia

Phantom Celestia is a convincing replica of the lawful good afterlife of Mount Celestia. It possesses identical terrain and structures, save that everything is stripped of any supernatural power to ward off evil creatures. Shapeshifting demons pose as angels, gods, and other good creatures native to Mount Celestia.

Many petitioners to the plane are evil people who thought themselves good, or imprisoned good souls that demons want to keep unaware of their captivity. Petitioners can ascend to higher levels over time, just as in Mount Celestia. However upon entering the false Chronias the entire sham is revealed for what it is. Demons show the petitioners the true nature of the plane, letting them experience the horror of knowing they'll never ascend spiritually. Then demons wipe the petitioners' memories clean and send them back to first layer to ascend over and over again for all eternity.

When living visitors arrive on the plane demons will attempt to kill them and imprison their souls on Phantom Celestia so they too ascend forever. If possible they will try to trick visitors into thinking they reached the true Celestia so their guard is lowered. A favorite trick of demons is to pose as an angel and lure a mortal on the material plane into accompanying them back to Phantom Celestia, where they are allowed several days of ignorant bliss before being painfully killed.